My Lincoln Cent grading project
yspsales
Posts: 2,463 ✭✭✭✭✭
Figure with the downtime I would self teach myself grading Lincoln cents.
Got four albums in recent weeks of BU Lincolns.
All post 1941 up thru the 1970's
About 250 coins set aside so far.
My motto on these short sets is you makem' and I breakem'
Idea was to handle as many raw coins as possible.
Learn strike qualities, GTG, submit the best, build a grading set, relist the rest.
So... 1940's strike quality... what is the equiv of a hammered Buffalo nickel, the high points, the weak strike characteristics?
Hair, beard, lapel, bow tie, shoulder?
The reverse?
I do okay with Morgans and Buffs, but this is a new series for me.
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Comments
Is this PVC on the reverse?
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Weak strikes or worn dies?
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Thought about a tip somebody mentioned once.
He said to make notes on each coin and mark tics and hits and other details on paper.
Will try this with each coin in the beginning until I get a better feel as to the grades. Sit on them ahile, submit a few of the better coins.
So far far, of the first twenty or so imaged, most will fall into MS64/65.
Might have one or two that will push MS66
So for posterity and a future newbie, above is a creation from my rudimentary PS skills.
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Space reserved for images
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Neat project. I am unable to determine what is on the reverse of your 1941 cent yet do find the obverse attractive and GEM looking.
Does your 1941 have pvc residue? Could be but probably not. It frequently is seen as emerald green blobs, although a thin sheen could cover large areas.
look on the reverse just below UN on UNITED on this half cent linked
https://ebay.com/itm/Half-Cent-1828-PCGS-PVC-Residue-13-Start/373480716323?hash=item56f52f7823:g:bboAAOSw7AZgPXXx
Most recent result from my submission.
Really loved this coin in hand and will go into the PC.
PF66
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In order, and note that the grades I'm listing are biased on the side shown and might be different if shown the other side:
1941 Does not look like PVC, more like a stain or oily substance. Hard to say for sure without being able to see it in hand. Was a decent MS65/66 coin that would be knocked down to MS64 or details depending on if anything is on the surface.
1945-S Hairlines from a wipe, details coin
1946-D Looks like a worn die/late die state MS62 maybe 63 on a good day
1948-D Die deterioration, well defined by the soft mushy details as you move to the rim I would say AU as the lighter areas look like friction rub
Unknown rev again some staining and its difficult to tell if its just a stain or something on the surface might grade might detail
1961PF nice looking coin but worth $10 and not worth the cost to certify, Lincoln proofs from the 60's forward need to be CAM or better (DCAM from 70 on) before its worth the TPG costs most of the time.
Add the coat lapel, shoulder, and hair curls to your list of high points to check for luster breaks
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
@yspsales .... A good project and you seem to be on a positive path....Takes a while... Most later Lincoln cents are just not financially viable for 'confirmation' grading....(that is to get the TPG to grade and compare with your assessement). Good luck, Cheers, RickO
What I will tell you is that an MS 66 coin usually will show almost no contact marks. The grade then goes to strike and surfaces.
Another tip is that most find contact marks on Lincoln's coat acceptable. Wrong.
Thus far have purchased four albums (1 Whitman and 3 Library of Coins) for total $277.16 delivered. Total of 300 coins
Just an update thru Sunday, March 14.
Gone thru about 30 coins... Image, grade, 2x2, listed for sale
10 would easily go BU but no better than MS63/64
13 are AU candidates. Cheek rubs and break of luster on beard etc... Maybe grading too hard but conservative.
2 are being set aside for possible submission candidates... MS65/66
Made five Raw sells... net $16
Two minor DDO/DDR varieties found and a single RPM
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Album 1 is completely broken down, imaged, graded, etc...
90 coins at a cost of $65 in a Part 2 (Vol. 3) Library of Coins Album.
20 from the 1960's and 70's (filler) went into change jar
3 set aside for future grading consideration
The remainder 2x2'd for Ebay
Thus far, already 25 raw sales on ebay netting $60 with about 40 yet to listed
Two minor DDO/DDR varieties and maybe four minor RPM's
One coin sticks out. 1960d with nice toning though a bit ragged with tics and hits. The die chip in the 6 matches a late stage image of FS101/501 but some of the other PUP's elude me. The MM looks in a different position.
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Just along for the ride
Weekly update
Thus far from album #1... running total of 30 raw sales on ebay netting north of $80
Nearly 25 individual buyers.
Educationally, could not be more pleased handling so many raw coins.
Methodically going thru ALL my coins.
Sent my last batch of best ten coins for grading including one BU coin from this batch. Kinda test case cent, some AH Kennedy halves, proof toners, etc...
Marathon session today of imaging, 2x2, and listing my remaining non cent coins. Various small silver lots, individual coins, etc...,
Hopefully get to start on the next album this week with uninterrupted focus on Lincoln cents going forward.
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Great education for you and I admire your efforts.
WS
Nice progress, as to the 60-D above I do not see any signs of that being an FS101/501 example. A well struck example for that date but the numinous hits limit the grade to MS64RB imo.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
@yspsales Are you getting the True Views/Gold Shield with that last batch? If so please post some images when available.
MS 65 R/B.
That high? Maybe I am a bit conservative on my grading. Thank you for the input.
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This weeks update...
Sold 5 coins this week... well into the black on Album #1
About a third the way into assessing, imaging, and make determinations in Album two. Found one minor DDO/RPM and another that needs more investigation.
Did not notice previously, several of the coins thus far are rim toned. Set aside more one page 1 to grade than the entire previous album combined. A couple really attractive rainbow rim toners with a shot at MS65.
I don't pay a premium for toners, or seek them out, but these will bring premiums and/or fit well in my PC
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Well you have my attention.
I have about twenty penny rolls from the 1970's that I got from the bank when released, never circulated.
Assuming outside of the enders of the rolls that the rest should be BU, a good assumption.
My questions is how you grade them besides BU? My eyes aren't that discerning to tell a BU 60 from a BU67.
Wheat pennies obverse are easy, but everything else is leaves me realizing I don't know how. haha!
Maybe I shouldn't bother, but since I saw your post I had to ask for any more pointers.
TIA
YMMV... I have been 2 points off on average when it comes to the few proof Lincoln Cents I have gotten graded.
I do well grading Kennedy Halves and Morgans but seriously stink at Peace Dollars and Franklin Halves.
Trial and error...
Sending in a sub of cents next week. I have my grade and curious to test my results. A few others I will seed into future submissions.
Others with more experience can give more valued opinions on cents.
My method. Look at the high points marked in red.
Any rub or ding will show a slight color change due to the break in the luster. I classify those as AU in any other series.
Then I look at the hair, face, neck, and coat. Tics (small hits), Hits.... chatter, tics and hits in the fields and lastly the rims. Repeat on the reverse.
This is experience carried over from other series, book work, and breaking down cheap albums looking at as many coins as cheaply as possible.
I think I read somewhere that they do not even put much weight on the memorial reverse.
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I totally get that!! Franklin Halves never seemed to have "definition". I have proofs and they just aren't attractive to me and I love the coin!
Thanks a lot for the extra information, appreciated!
Update...
Almost Two albums broken down... about half way point
20 chunked into change jar
43 sold
58 listed for sale
9 set aside for future grading and attribution
$215 in sales
Net... $140 after fees and shipping
Original Cost... $278
My better half goes home to visit family for a few weeks on Saturday. Goal is to finish imaging, evaluation, listing, and shipping to PCGS by end of month.
Educational, alot of work, but meager profits should net a dozen graded coins for the effort.
Nothing major but a few attractive toners and some grading set material.
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I admire your efforts. Good info to follow for everyone.
WS
Only six more coins sold since last update for net $30
Set aside several that had nice toning and/or might flirt with a lofty grade.
Will finalize and send in an order to our host this week this week.
Still got a half dozen at our host that should pop by end of month.
6 Albums purchased and 400+ coins...
Original Cost... $410
49 coins sold minus fees... net $170
52 coins still listed and will add another 30 tonight, with four albums to go...
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12 coins sold for a net $30 since last update
Listed around 80+ with a handful of albums to break down.
Still waiting on an 11 coin order mix of halves and cents to finish grading.
Five of which are nice proof toners cherry picked from sets and a single 1942p
Got a bunch of coins piling up that need to be sent for grading but wanted to judge first batch results.
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My latest order... waiting for the TV's
Both Franklin Halves have color. Happy for the FBL
The three AH Kennedy Halves were nice coins.
The four Proof cents that made the cut have exceptional color, but was hoping for a 67 or 68.
Disappointed in the two Details coins.
The 1942p came from the sets I was breaking down and the other proof a nice toner from a toned Capitol holder set.
Live and learn...
Financially a small victory, and will net the Lincoln Cents for my grading sets.
Hopefully, I will learn something from the cents.
Sent a small order this week that included a couple for the grading set.
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These four were wildcards that were found in the wild in proof sets.
Curious about the two Detail cents.
Grade was less important than the color when deciding to submit.
Still, I thought two had a shot at PF67.
Color designations are always a mystery.
No clue as to premium if any the color will bring.
No matter, don't see these being sold.
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From my most recent submission.
Both MS66rd and pretty much what I thought.
Took a shot since the next grade was a big premium.
Into the grading set they go...
Work has been grinding me down and my progress on the existing albums.
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30 raw coins sold since April 17 update... for a net of about $70 after fees and S+H
Excluding the cherry picked toners...
So in total, about 90 raw coins sold for a total $300 net
A few slabbed fees added to overall cost... about $450
Just closed about 50 listed coins on Ebay
Will give them a second look for grading purposes and combine them into groups for .99 cent auctions.
Still got a few albums that have not been touched.
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Was going thru some stuff to liquidate on ebay and found several old Lincoln cent albums and remembered this project.
Remember it being ALOT of work to break even, but it is all $$$ from this point.
Fresh set of eye has led me to reboot the project.
I have some more coins to submit.
Nothing special with this coin as it was educational way to refine my grading skills.
Future looks bright with one unexpected and interesting error find, and a few potential modern MS67 winners amongst the small hoard.
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I would love to see the US Mint make copper lincoln cents as a numismatic product again. Maybe matte proofs?